2026 ILGIF Annual Summit
We are pleased to announce the 2026 Illinois Growth and Innovation Summit. The Illinois State Treasurer and 50 South Capital Advisors will provide a look back at the achievements of the Illinois Growth and Innovation Fund (ILGIF) from the prior year, including a full agenda focused on Illinois’ venture capital and startup ecosystem.
Since its first iteration in 2016, the ILGIF Summit has become an important industry event and a forum for investors, organizations, and entrepreneurs to develop and maintain long-term relationships. We welcome you to register and learn more about the stakeholders driving growth and innovation in Illinois.
The ILGIF Annual Summit will be held in person on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. The agenda will include remarks from Illinois Treasurer Michael W. Frerichs, an update on the growth of the ILGIF portfolio over the last 12 months, and presentations from leading venture capitalists and thought leaders on innovation, entrepreneurship, and venture capital in Illinois.
The Illinois Growth and Innovation Fund (ILGIF)
WHAT IS ilgif?
The Illinois Growth and Innovation Fund (ILGIF) is the Illinois State Treasurer’s impact investment program focused on growing the state’s innovation economy. By investing with Illinois venture capital, growth equity, and private debt firms, ILGIF helps attract, expand, and retain high-quality, technology-enabled businesses—supporting job creation and long-term economic growth across Illinois.
On August 29, 2018, Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced an increase of investment capital available in ILGIF, increasing the total to approximately $1 billion in investment capital over 10 years from the State's existing investment portfolio to be invested with Illinois venture capital, growth equity and private debt investment firms on a recurring basis.
Through the Illinois Growth and Innovation Fund, the Illinois Treasurer primarily makes targeted investments with venture and growth equity funds that invest in technology-enabled businesses and are either based in Illinois or possess a significant workforce in Illinois.
ILGIF-backed businesses may operate in sectors, such as
Agricultural tech
Bio tech
Consumer tech
Financial services tech
Green tech
Health care tech
Logistics tech
Manufacturing tech
Services tech
Visit our website here to learn more about the work we do through ILGIF.
2026 Speakers
Date and Location
The ILGIF Annual Summit will be held in person on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
“The investment put forth through ILGIF signifies Illinois’ emergence as a tech leader. These dollars will fund promising entrepreneurs who will use the money to hire others in furtherance of their dream and the betterment of our tech community and entire State economy.”
Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs